Posted on 11/16/2006 4:06:50 AM PST by W04Man
The top U.S. commander for Iraq rejected yesterday proposals from Senate Democrats to immediately pull troops from Iraq or do it on a specific timetable starting in March.
"Our troops' posture needs to stay where it is as we move to enhance the capabilities of the Iraqi security forces," Gen. John Abizaid, the head of U.S. Central Command, told the Senate Armed Services Committee, "and then we need to assess whether or not we can bring major combat units out of there."
His response was, in effect, a dismissal of a proposal from incoming Senate Armed Services Chairman Carl Levin, Michigan Democrat, for a phased withdrawal to begin in four months, and from Rep. John P. Murtha, Pennsylvania Democrat, for an immediate pullout.
Gen. Abizaid said current troop levels, and an improving Iraqi security force of more than 300,000, are sufficient to eventually win. "I believe that we can move forward," he said.
But Democrats, and at least one Republican, expressed skepticism. "It's not encouraging to those of us who heard time after time that things are, quote, 'progressing well,' that we're making progress, et cetera, because we're hearing from many other sources that that's not the case," said Sen. John McCain, Arizona Republican.
Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, who won re-election as an independent, displayed how difficult it will be for Mr. Levin to get a majority of senators to agree to specific withdrawal dates.
"I agree with both of you that a congressional mandate to begin a withdrawal from Iraq in a time certain would be a disaster for the Iraqis and, more directly, for the U.S.," he said.
(Excerpt) Read more at insider.washingtontimes.com ...
So there, now what do you think you know about it MR. MURTHA!!
If the damn Turks had agreed for the 4th ID to come from the north then the Anbar province would have been cleaned at the biginning....Turkey can np longer be considered reliable in by any stretch of the imagination
****"It's not encouraging to those of us who heard time after time that things are, quote, 'progressing well,' that we're making progress, et cetera, because we're hearing from many other sources that that's not the case," said Sen. John McCain, Arizona Republican. ****
When is McCain going to join the ranks of the Independents ,Jeffords and Lieberman. He sure isnt a Republican.
NOW they worry about the consequences of a pull-out, oops, sorry, "redeployment".
Well, perhaps better that somebody is talking about it now, than AFTER any troop movements begin.
But a lot of the damage is already done. Ther perception is, that now there is an approaching time of departure, that America has lost heart to pursue their earlier stated goals in Iraq (pacification of the entire country, establishment of a working self-sustaining democracy).
Another sucker punch from McCain. Just when you think he's a solid supporter of the military mission, he joins the far left in attacking the general charged with executing that mission.
What is obvious from this exchange is that Bush and Rumsfeld have been listening to to General Abazaid and other top commanders. The far left's attacks on Rumsfeld have really been directed at our military itself. Now that Rumsfeld isn't there to take the hit, they're openly attacking what has been their real target all along.
And McCain is right in the thick of it.
"...you’re advocating that status quo here today which I think the American people in the last election said that is not an acceptable condition for the American people,” Mr McCain told Gen Abizaid.
The thread was General clashes with McCain on Iraq exit
34,000 Americans gave their lives and South Korea has been free for 50 years.
What would South Korea be like, if we had redeployed after 3,000 troops were killed?
In other words, STAY THE COURSE.
They(dems)should talk.Hardly 2 weeks after the election and there's more fighting among the democrats than there is in Iraq!!!!
See, Bush listens to the Generals, but the democrats listen to the people who give them campaign donations.
John, the LAST thing I want is for the american people to be in charge of setting our war strategy.
Yep, mcqueeg was smirking and showing disdain until the General snapped johnny to attention... and the look on mclames face was one of a man whose daddy just whupped him for something he did that he knew was wrong! He also shut old johnny the **** up!
LLS
Have you read the absolute crap Dennis Kucinich is touting about cutting off funding since debate on Iraq is not resolving in his ideological favor? Check out Drudge or his damnable home page.
They did it to us in the '70s in RVN and cost many lives, I know because I was there. My son is returning from his 2nd tour with the 101st puking buzzards (and I can say that as a 2/502 PIR alumnus) and I hope he doesn't return. He's a lifer but this country will kill its heroes through "benign neglect" rather than stand and fight.
Sorry for the rant but this really hacks me off.
"When is McCain going to join the ranks of the Independents ,Jeffords and Lieberman. He sure isnt a Republican."
Problem is McCain is a Republican. He isn't a Conservative is what you are trying to say. The Republican party is dead, just as the Democrat party is dead.
Someone should just announce that there are three political parties. Conservative, Liberal and Moderate and get it over with. Because that's what we have right now and the party that can effectively communicate its message to the moderates is the party that will hold office.
Then the moderates just handed the country over to the liberals.
I give every vet his or her due for service. But past service is not a guarantee of present integrity. McCain, in his own way, is as bad as Murtha. Both are only interested in achieving their ambitions. Both men are a disgace.
"Then the moderates just handed the country over to the liberals."
Yup. Gave them the keys to the liquor cabinet.
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